After leading Deirdre and Evie out of the soul space, Todd said to them, "The pilgrimage site implanted with the soul seed has another function. If I'm not here, you can directly enter the soul space through the pilgrimage site, so I can know of your arrival immediately..."

Before Todd could finish speaking, a sudden remark startled the three people in the room: "I remember telling you to use your soul power as little as possible during this time."

Todd turned and looked toward the stairs.

Meredith sat on the wooden steps, leisurely grooming the raven feathers on his coat.

This mysterious woman appears no different from a young woman on the outside, but her words and actions give people a strange sense of vicissitude.

Meredith looked at Todd and spoke again, "I told you, during your recovery period, try to use your soul power as little as possible, as it will delay the healing time of your wounds..."

Evie took a small step forward subtly, assuming a defensive stance, and asked in a low voice, "When did you get here?"

Meredith descended the stairs, not answering Evie's question, but instead smiling as she approached Todd: "There's something you might not know. Just yesterday... King Conchieb of Ulster died."

"Wait! Conchierber is dead?!" Todd's eyes widened. "How did he die?!"

Meredith rested his index finger on his chin: "Let me think...it seems like his heart was ripped out of his chest while he was still alive..."

Todd frowned and said again, "You should know that's not what I want to ask. Who is the killer?"

Meredith shrugged: "Cú Chulainn."

Upon hearing this unexpected name, Ivy unconsciously raised her voice: "Cú Chulainn?! Wasn't he a hero loyal to the Kingdom of Ulster? Why would he kill the one he served?"

Meredith shook his head and said, "You've got one thing wrong. Cú Chulainn is loyal to Ulster, not Conchuber. When the king's actions displease him, given his current temperament, it's only natural that he would go on a killing spree."

Evie gasped, "He just killed the king like that, do you think the Ulsters will let him go?"

At this moment, Todd spoke up: "Because of the gladiatorial contest and the Fioch incident, the nobles of the Kingdom of Ulster have long been disillusioned with the king. They must have been behind the scenes, using a 'hero' to get rid of a foolish monarch."

Meredith smiled and nodded: "You're right. Half the responsibility for this rebellion should lie with the nobles of Ulster. They believe that removing that tyrannical ruler will bring hope to Ulster, but..."

Deirdre, who was hiding behind Ivy, peeked out and asked, "But?"

"But killing a mad dog attracted a monster."

Hearing Meredith's words, Todd asked with some doubt, "You mean Cú Chulainn will break free from the control of those nobles?"

"Break free from control?" Meredith shook her head slightly at Todd: "You're underestimating the bestial nature within Cú Chulainn..."

Seeing the puzzled looks on the three people in front of him, Meredith extended her hand and beckoned to Todd: "Do you have a moment? I'd like to take this opportunity to ask you some questions."

Upon hearing this, Ivy immediately became alert and asked, "What do you want to ask?"

With a wry smile, Todd waved his hand at Evie: "Don't be too nervous. If Meredith really intended to harm me, she would have done it already."

Todd gave Evie and Deirdre a reassuring look and followed Meredith up to the second floor.

The latter walked to a table, looked at the Deathly Silence Spear hanging on the wall, wrapped in burlap, and asked softly, "Todd, what is your view on power?"

How should we view power?

This strange question startled Todd.

"Power, in my view, is perhaps a tool for realizing ideals and ambitions," Todd said thoughtfully. "With it, you won't just watch your beloved things slip away..."

Meredith's gaze softened almost imperceptibly as she looked at Todd: "You are truly gentle, but when you speak of the power within you, you use such a lame excuse..."

Todd smiled slightly and said, "You don't believe me?"

"I believe in you now, but I can't believe in you in the future."

Meredith's tongue-twisting reply made Todd frown: "Me in the future? What do you mean by that?"

Meredith ran her fingers along a raven feather: "Power is poison to humans..."

"poison?"

"Initially, most of those who yearned for power were not entirely evil; they possessed a certain noble sentiment."

"But as time went on, whether they were powerful monarchs or extremely strong heroes, as their power grew, their thoughts gradually turned into one word—more."

"Larger territories, more armies, greater capabilities, more companions... Ideals, beliefs, honor, and wisdom have long since fallen into an endless abyss as the poison of power has deepened."

Meredith's eyes went unfocused: "I once met an ancient sage who was constantly fighting for the well-being of his kind, but after coming into contact with the tyrant... the power has caused him to completely lose himself..."

Listening to Meredith's narration, Todd saw for the first time what was hidden deep within this woman's heart.

Meredith looked up at Todd: "Do you know why I advised you to give up the path of tyrant? Because power only brings destruction and depravity. No matter how fancy the reason, it is nothing but a self-deceiving excuse."

Meredith stood up and looked at Todd, slowly saying, "Our essence is human. No matter how our appearance changes or how our abilities increase, the fact that we constantly waver between humanity and animality deep within our hearts can never be erased."

Todd looked at the dejected woman with raven feathers, and was about to speak, but didn't know where to begin.

Meredith smiled slightly and said, "What I'm saying today may seem like pointless whining to you. But soon, a vivid example will be presented to you."

“Cú Chulainn has murdered Conchiob. What will happen next—whether it is humanity or bestiality that will ultimately prevail. Todd, I hope you will take a good look and think it over carefully.”

Meredith pushed open the door, turned around, and threw Todd his last words: "Remember my words, tyrants... don't actually take us away from humanity, they just amplify our animalistic nature."